From July 5 to 8, 2025 the 9th Chengdu Golden Hibiscus Music Competition was held in Sichuan Conservatory of Music (SCCM). Jointly hosted by SCCM, Sichuan Musician’s Association, and Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Culture, Broadcast-TV, and Tourism, the competition attracted excellent faculty and students from domestic and international conservatories, including SCCM, Central Conservatory of Music, Xinghai Conservatory of Music, and Conservatory of Bologna.

 

 

Amedeo Salvato, Artistic Coordinator of the Scuola dell’Opera (“School of Opera”) of the Teatro Comunale di Bologna (“Municipal Theater of Bologna”) of Italy, was invited to Chengdu as a judge for the Vocal (Bel Canto) Category, representing Chengdu’s friendship city—Bologna, Italy.

 

According to Amedeo Salvato, this was his second visit to Chengdu. “I commend Chengdu’s efforts to establish itself as an international “City of Music”. As a pivotal music event Chengdu presented to China, the Golden Hibiscus Music Competition has established a platform for outstanding young Chinese musicians to access the international stage. Every time I hear Chinese singers perform, I see their progress.” To encourage youth vocal artists to shine brighter on the global stage, Amedeo Salvato presented a special gift: “I am planning to invite a bass participant to study and perform at the Scuola dell’Opera.”

 

 

This undoubtedly provides an invaluable opportunity for the professional development of youth musicians. Bologna, recognized as a “City of Music” by the UNESCO, is home to one of Italy’s most prestigious and the earliest theaters, the Teatro Comunale di Bologna, which is situated in the Piazza Verdi (“Verdi Square”) at the city center. It has garnered international acclaim for its high-caliber performances, consistently attracting artists from across the globe. Renowned musicians, such as Mozart, Rossini, and Verdi, studied, resided, and performed in Bologna. Each year, the Scuola dell’Opera invites world-class songsters, conductors, and directors to deliver classes, and provides scholarships and opportunities to perform in a minimum of two operas produced by the school for its students, who may participate as understudies in performances during the theater’s Opera Season.

 

In April 2019, Marilena Pillati, Vice Mayor of Bologna, and Alejandro González, Director of the International Development of the Teatro Comunale di Bologna, attended the Music Cities Convention 2019 in Chengdu upon invitation. During the convention, Chengdu and Bologna signed Chengdu-Bologna Music City Cooperation Program (Chengdu Launches “Global Music Center” Future Program).

 

Edited by Zhang Yuanlin

Source:Chengdu Discovery